Coventry man apprehended in New London after escaping from police at hospital

The New London Police Department released a photo of William Carilli of Coventry who was arrested Thursday morning Sept. 4, 2014, on a second-degree burglary and assault on a police officer charge, in addition to other charges.

New London – A Coventry man who was arrested Thursday morning for attempting to burglarize a Montauk Avenue home escaped from police custody while at the hospital, led them on a foot chase and attacked the officer who was attempting to arrest him, police said.

The pursuit of the suspect, which snaked its way through the city’s south end, ended at about 4 a.m. in the backyard of Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio’s home on Ocean Avenue, the mayor said Thursday.

At about 12:36 a.m. police were investigating an attempted burglary at 57 Montauk Ave. When police spoke to a witness, the witness pointed to the suspect, later identified as 22-year-old William Carilli, who was walking away from the scene.

Police stopped Carilli and determined he was attempting to steal from the home. As a result, he was charged with criminal attempt to commit second-degree burglary and third-degree criminal mischief.

Police said Carilli injured himself during the break-in so he was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for treatment. While handcuffed to a bed at the hospital, police said, Carilli escaped and led police on a foot chase in the south end of the city. Waterford and state police sent officers to assist in the search.

At about 3:50 a.m., a Waterford police officer spotted Carilli. The officer was able to catch Carilli, but police said, Carilli used the officers flashlight, which had come out of his pocket during the struggle, to strike the officer in the head. The Waterford officer was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries and released.

Carilli was apprehended a short time later by a state police K-9 in the backyard of Finizio’s home on Ocean Avenue. Police said they had to use a Taser because he continued to fight with police and tried to escape.

Finizio said he, his husband and his dog were not involved in the incident and there was no damage to his property.

Carilli was returned to the hospital, where he explained to an officer and the charge nurse that he had broken free of the handcuffs earlier by dislocating his left thumb, according to a police report.

Carilli was additionally charged with assault on a police officer, second-degree assault, resisting arrest, third-degree trespass, breach of peace and escape from custody.

He was arraigned in New London Superior Court, where Judge Kevin P. McMahon set his bond at $49,000, cash only, continued the case to Oct. 1 and ordered a suicide/medical watch and psychological evaluation.